Liverpool are reportedly prioritising a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with the player said to be open to the transfer if a deal can be agreed upon. Reports indicate that PSG has set an asking price for the 23-year-old French forward.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool has been leading the pursuit for Barcola since April and is actively working on a deal. The player has reportedly given priority to the Premier League side’s project, provided that an agreement can be reached with PSG. Liverpool is awaiting indications from PSG regarding the price and other details.

Transfer Negotiations Underway

PSG is seeking a significant fee for Barcola, with one report suggesting a valuation of €170m. This valuation reportedly considers Barcola’s age and interest from multiple clubs. Despite the high asking price, PSG is said to be prepared to sell, as manager Luis Enrique reportedly prefers players committed to the club and does not guarantee starting spots.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi is expected to be directly involved in any discussions regarding Barcola’s potential departure. The club’s project is reportedly built on retaining players who wish to stay, making a departure possible if a new contract is not agreed upon.

Liverpool’s interest in Barcola comes as the club seeks to strengthen its wide attacking options following the departure of Mohamed Salah. While Liverpool has already signed 23-year-old Victor Muñoz, there is still a perceived need for additional quality in wide forward positions.

Other clubs, including Arsenal, are also reportedly interested in Barcola. PSG themselves are reportedly looking at other wingers, such as RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche. If PSG were to sign additional wingers, it could further impact Barcola’s playing time, potentially encouraging him to seek a move elsewhere.

Other Transfer Market Movements

In other transfer news, Arsenal is reportedly looking to accelerate talks for Newcastle’s 28-year-old Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. Guimaraes has reportedly expressed a desire for his future to be resolved within the next week, before he returns for Newcastle’s pre-season training camp.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid has set a price of 160m euros (£137m) for 26-year-old Brazil forward Vinicius Jr this summer, although his priority is reportedly to sign a new deal with Real Madrid, where he has one year left on his current contract. Arsenal would reportedly be willing to offer Vinicius Jr the largest contract in their club’s history.

Tottenham are considered favourites to sign 22-year-old Brazil winger Savinho from Manchester City. Additionally, Real Madrid has reportedly agreed personal terms with RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande. Al-Hilal has opened talks for 26-year-old Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton, and Chelsea is expected to demand a significant fee for 26-year-old Portugal winger Pedro Neto, who has attracted interest from Liverpool, Manchester City, and Saudi Arabian teams.

Besiktas is awaiting a decision from 34-year-old Egypt forward Mohamed Salah after submitting their final offer, as he is a free agent following his departure from Liverpool. Juventus is working on a deal to sign 25-year-old Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United. Bournemouth is not looking to sell 20-year-old French striker Junior Kroupi despite interest from Barcelona. Fulham is considered a leading option for 18-year-old Argentina midfielder Franco Mastantuono if Real Madrid loans him out next season. Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha, 31, wants to fight for his place at Bayern Munich, but the club is reportedly looking to sell him.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Lewis Hamilton has expressed frustration with his Ferrari team following the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he dropped points in the title battle against Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. The race saw Lando Norris secure his first victory of the season for McLaren.

Hamilton finished fourth on the track at the Hungaroring but was reclassified to fifth place after receiving a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished second, with Antonelli taking third place.

Strategic Pit Stop Under Scrutiny

The penalty stemmed from a late pit stop under a virtual safety car period, which provided Hamilton with fresh tyres but resulted in a loss of track position to Verstappen and Antonelli. Hamilton was unable to regain these positions, and the pit stop also led to the penalty. He questioned the strategic decision made by his team.

“It was pretty bad. Pretty frustrating,” Hamilton stated. He added that he did not believe the stop should have been taken, noting that the call came just before the pit-lane entry, leaving no time for debate. Hamilton indicated that he would not have stopped if it meant sacrificing track position, suggesting he might have held onto at least third place.

The Ferrari driver had just moved into second place when the virtual safety car was deployed on lap 56 due to a technical issue with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren. Ferrari opted to pit Hamilton for a third time while cars were running at a controlled speed. However, Verstappen, who did not pit, gained track position, and Hamilton subsequently fell behind Antonelli after rejoining the track, placing him fourth for the final laps.

To further complicate matters, Hamilton was investigated for pit-lane speeding, leading to the five-second penalty for exceeding the 80kph speed limit by 0.1kph. Unable to pass Antonelli or build a five-second lead over his teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton was relegated to fifth in the final standings.

Impact on Championship and Future Outlook

Hamilton now trails Antonelli by 50 points in the Formula One Drivers’ Championship as the series enters its summer break. This follows a series of penalties in recent races, including incidents at Silverstone, Spa, and a three-place grid drop in Hungary for impeding during qualifying, in addition to the pit-lane speeding penalty.

He acknowledged that the last three races have not been strong for him, citing “lots of mistakes.” Hamilton expressed optimism for Ferrari’s prospects for the remainder of the season but stressed the need to avoid further penalties. He remains Antonelli’s closest challenger in the championship.

Hamilton believes the annual shutdown has come at an opportune moment, allowing him to reset and return stronger. He is confident that the second half of the season will be more successful for him and the team, particularly given that Ferrari has reportedly been at a pace disadvantage on the straights during the first half of the season.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris, who secured his and McLaren’s first win of the year, feels he is performing at his best, even surpassing his championship-winning form from last season, despite Mercedes’ dominance in the initial 11 meetings. Norris is 91 points behind Antonelli in the championship, with 12 races remaining. He highlighted the effectiveness of significant upgrades brought by McLaren to Hungary, which contributed to their strong performance.

The Formula 1 season is scheduled to resume after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix from August 21-23.

Source: theguardian.com

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Real Madrid appears poised to sign RB Leipzig’s winger, Yan Diomande, following Paris Saint-Germain’s withdrawal from the bidding process. The Ivory Coast international has been a prominent figure in transfer discussions this summer, after a notable season in the Bundesliga and a strong performance at the World Cup.

The 19-year-old was linked with a move to Liverpool earlier in the transfer window. Reports indicated that Diomande’s preference then shifted towards a move to Paris. However, with Real Madrid now advancing, Diomande looks set for the Bernabéu with the reported fee “well in excess” of €100m.

This development comes after Leipzig reportedly rejected an initial offer from Madrid. Diomande is understood to have already agreed to personal terms with Real and is expected to travel to the Spanish capital for a medical examination.

PSG’s Withdrawal and Other Interests

The potential deal for Diomande represents a setback for PSG, who were previously considered frontrunners and were believed to be his preferred destination if he left Germany. However, the club was unable to reach an agreement regarding the transfer fee. PSG subsequently released a statement asserting their commitment to “rational financial management and squad balance” and formally withdrawing their interest and bids for Diomande.

Meanwhile, Liverpool has reportedly shifted its focus to PSG’s Bradley Barcola as they continue their search for wingers. Other clubs, including Premier League teams Arsenal and Manchester City, also maintain an interest in Diomande.

Arsenal, in particular, is exploring options to strengthen its left-wing attacking positions. While they are reportedly looking into a potential deal for Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior, Diomande is also among their targets, alongside Julian Alvarez and Barcola.

Vinicius Junior’s Future and Contract Situation

The interest in Diomande by Real Madrid coincides with uncertainty surrounding the future of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian international has entered the final year of his contract with Real Madrid. If a new agreement is not reached, Real Madrid could consider selling him rather than risk losing him as a free agent next summer.

Vinicius Junior, who was the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up, is currently on holiday following his participation with Brazil at the World Cup. His contract situation has reportedly been ongoing for 18 months, with differing figures reported for his wage demands and Real Madrid’s offer. This situation has led Real Madrid to consider potential replacements, with Diomande being a key target.

Despite the ongoing discussions, there has been no direct club-to-club contact between Arsenal and Real Madrid regarding Vinicius Junior. However, Arsenal’s interest is considered genuine as they aim to enhance their squad. The situation is described as an open race with six weeks remaining in the transfer window.

Diomande’s current contract with RB Leipzig runs through the 2029-30 season. Leipzig’s managing director of sport, Marcel Shafer, has previously stated the club’s “clear intention” for Diomande to play for them next year.

Last season, Diomande scored goals and provided assists in Bundesliga matches. He featured in matches for the Ivory Coast during the recent World Cup, contributing to his nation reaching the round of 32.

Source: theguardian.com

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Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia has claimed his record-equalling fifth Tour de France title. The 27-year-old UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider finished the final stage on Paris’ Champs-Elysees within the peloton, joining an elite group of riders including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain who have achieved five victories in the endurance event.

Pogacar’s win marks his third consecutive Tour de France triumph. His performance included a record ascent of Alpe d’Huez on stage 19, where he secured another dominant victory, one of his five stage wins in the race. He has won numerous major races in the sport, such as the Tour of Flanders, Giro d’Italia, Milan-San Remo, Road World Championships, Giro di Lombardia, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, accumulating 127 wins in his eight-year professional career.

The final stage of the Tour de France was won by the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech. He secured victory after a charge to the finish line on the cobbled streets of the French capital, narrowly beating his team-mate Jasper Philipsen of Belgium. Van der Poel’s win adds a prestigious victory to his list of achievements in one-day races, which include multiple wins in Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.

The final stage, typically a ceremonial ride for overall contenders, featured a circuit over the city’s Montmartre hill, a change introduced by organisers ASO last year to encourage more powerful riders to compete for the stage win. Van der Poel and Pogacar led through the narrow lanes over Montmartre and past Sacre-Coeur before Pogacar began to fade. Van der Poel managed to stay ahead of a chasing pack to claim the win.

The stage was shortened from 133km to 89km due to the redirection of emergency services to assist with wildfires in south-west France. This marks the third stage of this year’s Tour to be affected by prefecture intervention due to wildfires or a heatwave. Wildfires near the Arcachon lagoon and Biscarrosse have destroyed over 36,000 hectares of forest.

Pogacar’s dominance has led some to consider him the greatest cyclist of all time. His only recent rival in the Tour de France has been Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, who won in 2022 and 2023. However, Vingegaard, a 29-year-old Visma-Lease a Bike rider, abandoned this year’s race after breaking his collarbone on stage 15. The incident occurred after an anti-doping test conducted by the International Testing Agency (ITA) at 2am, which the ITA stated was due to “exceptional circumstances.”

Another strong competitor was Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, who finished six minutes 26 seconds behind Pogacar in the general classification. Isaac del Toro, Pogacar’s Mexican team-mate, secured third place overall and the white jersey for the best young rider. Del Toro, 22, won stage two and was aided by Pogacar, who sacrificed his own potential victory on Saturday’s ‘queen’ stage to Alpe d’Huez to help consolidate Del Toro’s podium position.

Del Toro’s white jersey came at the expense of France’s 19-year-old Paul Seixas of Decathlon-CMA CGM, who faded on Saturday’s climbs. Many observers believe Seixas could become a future rival to Pogacar. The race also saw Britain’s Tom Pidcock of Pinarello-Q36.5 finish ninth in the general classification, building on his third place in last year’s Vuelta a Espana, despite his team, Netcompany Ineos Cycling, not securing a stage victory.

Among the jersey winners, Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost claimed the king of the mountains’ polka dot jersey. He won stage 18 and stage 20, topping the race’s highest point after 5,450km of climbing. The green points jersey was awarded to Denmark’s Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek, who won stage four and consistently earned mid-stage points. Pedersen beat several sprinters, including Philipsen, who won stage 17, and Belgium’s Tim Merlier of Soudal-Quick Step, who won three bunch sprint stages.

The final general classification after stage 21 saw Pogacar in first place with a time of 73 hours 56 minutes 26 seconds.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Vitek’s potential departure from Old Trafford

Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek is reportedly nearing a move away from the club as interest from other teams intensifies. The 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper has expressed his desire for regular first-team football, indicating he is ready for either a loan or a permanent transfer.

Vitek spent last season on loan at Bristol City, where he made 41 appearances and earned three club player of the year awards. His performance in the Championship demonstrated his suitability for that level of competition.

Middlesbrough open talks for Vitek

Middlesbrough have initiated discussions with Manchester United regarding a potential transfer for Vitek. Reports suggest that these negotiations are in their early stages, with several clubs showing interest in the goalkeeper.

Middlesbrough is reportedly keen on securing Vitek on a permanent basis, an option the player himself is open to, alongside another loan spell. A permanent departure for Vitek this summer would be beneficial for all parties involved.

Vitek’s potential sale could also provide Manchester United with “pure profit,” which is significant for operating within Financial Fair Play rules. Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously commented on the importance of the academy in generating financial talent for the club.

Despite having two years remaining on his contract, a permanent transfer for Vitek is a possibility. Any such deal would likely include a substantial sell-on clause and a buy-back option for Manchester United.

Vitek’s current situation at Manchester United sees Senne Lammens established as the first-choice goalkeeper. After his experience at Bristol City, Vitek has little to gain from being a backup at United.

Vitek recently kept a clean sheet in the second half of a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki. He hopes to resolve his future quickly.

Vitek has been linked with various clubs this summer, including Celtic, and is expected to be a sought-after goalkeeper in the transfer market. His determination to secure regular first-team football is a key factor in his desire to move.

Middlesbrough‘s interest in Vitek comes as they look to strengthen their squad following their Championship play-off disappointment. The club has reportedly had a productive summer in the transfer market, with the sale of Hayden Hackney providing a financial boost.

Vitek’s departure would not be considered a missed opportunity for Manchester United, given Lammens’ position as the primary goalkeeper. His exit makes sense for all involved, and this outcome appears to be drawing closer.

Vitek’s main objective remains to play every week, a goal he articulated in March and reiterated recently.

His manager, Michael Carrick, acknowledged Vitek’s performance against Rosenborg, stating he was “really pleased with what he did today” after Vitek played just over 70 minutes.

The Manchester United head coach did not elaborate further on Vitek’s future when asked about his goalkeeper.

The situation for Vitek is temporary, and he has expressed his readiness to move to a club where he can be the number one goalkeeper.

The transfer market activity for Middlesbrough includes the signing of Will Lankshear, with Sebastian Berhalter also reportedly close to joining the club. A new goalkeeper, such as Vitek, appears to be next on their list.

The sale of Hackney and a sell-on clause from Morgan Rogers joining Chelsea have provided Middlesbrough with a healthy budget this summer, potentially making Vitek a realistic target.

Vitek’s successful loan spell at Bristol City, where he swept individual awards, highlights his potential value. His desire for regular first-team football could lead Manchester United to consider a permanent sale.

The Manchester United academy product’s move would be seen as a positive for all involved, particularly as not every academy player becomes a starter for the Reds.

Vitek’s future is expected to be resolved soon, with several interests on the table.

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

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Lando Norris secured his and McLaren’s first Grand Prix victory of the season at the Hungaroring in Hungary. The win came after a compelling race that saw Norris navigate an early challenge from his teammate and maintain strong pace throughout.

Norris praised the upgrades to his McLaren car, stating that he delivered “some of the best pace I’ve ever had” during the race. He confidently beat Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli to the top step of the podium.

Race Overview

Norris, who started from pole position, initially lost the lead to his teammate Oscar Piastri on the opening lap. Piastri capitalised on Norris going wide at Turn 2 to take the lead. Norris expressed frustration over the radio about being stuck behind Piastri, who led for much of the first half of the race.

McLaren eventually called Piastri into the pits for his second stop, allowing Norris to race in clean air. Norris immediately began setting faster laps and maintained his advantage after Piastri’s subsequent pit stop. This strategy paved the way for Norris to control the race and secure his victory.

Piastri, who was running in second place, later retired from the race due to a gearbox failure. This incident also led to a late Virtual Safety Car with 14 laps remaining.

The race also featured a tense battle for the remaining podium positions in the closing laps between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen managed to hold on to second place, with Antonelli taking third. Antonelli’s third-place finish extended his championship lead to 50 points over Lewis Hamilton and 59 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell.

Russell finished seventh after a difficult start to the race. Ferrari’s Hamilton initially finished fourth, close behind Antonelli, but received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. This penalty dropped him to fifth place, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc.

Norris’s Performance and Team Strategy

Reflecting on the opening lap, Norris mentioned experiencing several “big snaps” and losing the rear of his car, which allowed Piastri to take the lead. Despite this early setback, Norris felt the car was “beautiful to drive” and he was very confident in its performance.

Norris’s strong pace allowed him to extend his stints on old tyres, which ultimately contributed to his win. He noted that the fresh tyres after his stops were crucial in securing the victory. The McLaren team’s big upgrade package for Hungary was a significant factor in their strong performance throughout the weekend.

The decision to pit Piastri before Norris, despite Norris’s initial request to pit first, proved effective. Norris stayed out longer, and Piastri encountered lapped traffic, including Williams’ Carlos Sainz, which resulted in minor contact. Norris then pitted on Lap 40 and emerged ahead of his teammate, dominating the rest of the race.

Norris expressed his happiness with the win and acknowledged the significant effort from his team to develop a car capable of winning again. He also noted that the Hungaroring is one of his best-suited tracks of the year.

Championship Implications and Future Races

Antonelli’s third-place finish further solidified his position at the top of the championship standings. Hamilton’s penalty and his inability to overtake Antonelli meant a missed opportunity to reduce the championship deficit.

Ferrari’s strategy for Hamilton was questioned, particularly their decision to pit him under a late Virtual Safety Car, which caused him to drop from second to fourth. Hamilton’s penalty further compounded the team’s challenges on a day when they potentially had the pace to contend for the win against Norris.

Other notable performances included Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar finishing sixth. The Racing Bulls duo of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad engaged in a race-long battle with Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg, with Lawson ultimately finishing ahead of Hulkenberg and Lindblad in the points-paying positions.

Norris’s victory has brought him to within 10 points of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the standings, marking a significant improvement from the beginning of the season. The Formula 1 season will resume after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled from August 21-23.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Norris secures first 2026 victory

Lando Norris secured his and McLaren’s first Grand Prix victory of 2026 at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He finished ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. The race at the Hungaroring circuit featured mid-race drama and a late retirement for Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri.

Norris, who started from pole position, spent the initial part of the race behind Piastri after being overtaken at Turn 2 on the opening lap. Piastri maintained the lead, despite Norris’s requests to be allowed through. The internal team battle shifted after Piastri’s second pit stop when he made contact with Carlos Sainz of Williams, who was encountering traffic.

This incident, combined with Norris’s pace in clear conditions, influenced the race outcome. Piastri’s day concluded with an apparent gearbox problem, leading to his retirement. A Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deployed due to Piastri’s stoppage, prompting further pit lane activity.

Podium battle and penalties

Following the VSC, Verstappen and Antonelli, who had recently changed tyres, remained on track to secure second and third positions, respectively. They finished ahead of the three-stopping Ferrari duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Hamilton initially emerged from his final stop ahead of Antonelli but had to cede the position after replays showed he had crossed the VSC white line behind the Mercedes.

Hamilton also received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, which impacted his chances of a podium finish. Despite pressing Antonelli to the flag, Leclerc moved ahead for P4 once the penalty was applied. Isack Hadjar secured sixth place for Red Bull, while George Russell finished seventh after a difficult start that saw him drop to 19th due to anti-stall activation.

Racing Bulls achieved a double points finish with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad placing eighth and 10th, sandwiching Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. Hulkenberg’s teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, finished 11th, just outside the points. Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, with their updated cars, finished 13th and 14th, respectively, splitting the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.

Qualifying and race incidents

Norris secured pole position in a close qualifying session, just 0.012 seconds ahead of Hamilton, with Leclerc in third and Antonelli in fourth. However, both Hamilton and Antonelli received three-place grid penalties from the stewards. Hamilton was penalised for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags, and Antonelli for impeding Piastri.

These penalties meant Norris started from pole, followed by Leclerc, Piastri, and Verstappen. Hamilton was demoted to fifth, and Antonelli to seventh. Sergio Perez started from the pit lane after making set-up changes. At the start, Norris maintained his lead, while Piastri overtook Leclerc to follow Norris into the first corner.

Piastri then took the lead from Norris at Turn 2 with a cut-back move. Hamilton also passed Leclerc for fourth and had contact with Verstappen. Russell experienced a poor start, falling from seventh to 19th. As the race progressed, Piastri held a lead over Norris, followed by Verstappen, Hamilton, and Leclerc, with Antonelli in sixth.

During the race, Hamilton made an early pit stop for hard tyres on Lap 14, rejoining in ninth. Verstappen responded on Lap 15, also switching to hards, and then overtook Hamilton at Turn 1. Piastri and Leclerc pitted on Lap 17, followed by Norris, which allowed Antonelli and Hadjar to lead temporarily before their own stops.

Piastri later retired on Lap 56 due to a gearbox failure, triggering the VSC. This led to a late round of pit stops, with Ferrari bringing in both drivers. Hamilton briefly passed Antonelli into the first corner after the Italian stayed out under the VSC, but had to yield the position after the restart. Verstappen maintained his lead over Antonelli, finishing 3.6 seconds ahead.

The next race, the Dutch Grand Prix, is scheduled for August 21-23 after a four-week summer break.

Source: bbc.com

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Joshua’s Dramatic Comeback in Jeddah

Anthony Joshua, a former two-time world champion, secured a dramatic knockout victory against Kristian Prenga in the second round of their non-title heavyweight bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The fight, which lasted just over five minutes, saw Joshua recover from two knockdowns before stopping the Albanian opponent. This match was widely considered a crucial step for Joshua before a potential fight against Tyson Fury.

The encounter marked Joshua’s return to the ring after a car accident in Nigeria in December, an incident that resulted in the loss of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, and left Joshua with injuries. He paid tribute to his friends following the fight, stating that his performance was driven by spirit, not just punch power.

The first round proved challenging for Joshua. Within 20 seconds, a sweeping right hand from Prenga rocked him, followed by an uppercut that sent him to the canvas. Joshua managed to beat the count but appeared visibly shaken. Prenga then knocked him down again, though Joshua rose before the count concluded and survived until the bell, ending a tumultuous first round.

During the break between rounds, the dynamic of the fight shifted. Prenga, who had brought a 20-1 fight record with 20 knockouts into the match, did not maintain his aggressive start in the second round. Instead, he allowed Joshua to gain control and unleash a series of punches. Joshua pinned Prenga in a corner, delivering successive combinations before a ferocious right hand ended the fight, sending Prenga through the ropes.

Questions Arise After Performance

Despite the knockout victory, Joshua’s performance raised questions about his punch resistance. Observers noted that he appeared vulnerable whenever Prenga landed a right hand, even without significant force. The initial knockdowns highlighted a concerning lack of stability, with Joshua’s legs appearing unsteady after the first count.

Joshua himself reflected on the experience, describing it as a “tough moment” and a “valuable lesson” to start faster in future bouts. He acknowledged that if Prenga had been more fortunate, the outcome could have been different. The fight was described as a significant “eyeopener” regarding his ability to absorb heavy blows.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, commented on Joshua’s resilience, stating that no one truly understood what Joshua had endured over the past seven months. Hearn admitted that when Joshua went down in the first round, he initially thought Joshua might have returned to the ring too soon after his personal tragedy.

Fury’s Uninspiring Victory and Future Plans

Meanwhile, Tyson Fury also participated in a warm-up bout, beating Mariusz Wach, a 46-year-old Polish heavyweight, in Thailand. Fury’s victory, achieved after seven one-sided rounds, was described as uninspiring. Wach managed to land a few punches on Fury, indicating that Fury might not be the elusive ring technician he once was.

Despite the contrasting performances, the possibility of an all-British fight between Joshua and Fury remains. Hearn confirmed that contracts for a fight between the two had been signed, contingent on their success in their respective warm-up matches. The initial agreement stipulated the fight would take place in the UK in November. However, reports suggest the contest is now widely expected to occur in the US, potentially leading to new contracts and further delays for the highly anticipated showdown.

Joshua’s victory improved his fight record to 30-4 (27 KOs), keeping alive the prospect of the fight with Fury. Fury, who came out of retirement earlier this year, also fulfilled his part of the claimed contract by defeating Wach on Friday night.

Source: theguardian.com

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Anthony Joshua secured a comeback victory against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, keeping alive prospects for a future bout against Tyson Fury. The fight marked Joshua’s first appearance since a car crash in Nigeria in December, which resulted in injuries to himself and the deaths of two close friends.

Joshua, aged 36, improved his professional record to 30-4. Despite the win, the fight proved challenging, with Prenga knocking Joshua down twice in the opening round. Joshua paid tribute to his late friends, Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, his personal trainer, by wearing their names on his pre-fight outfit.

During the first round, Joshua was sent to the canvas within the initial 20 seconds by an uppercut from Prenga, and again later in the round. Despite these early setbacks, Joshua regrouped and delivered a series of right hands in the second round, leading to a knockout victory.

Joshua reflected on the experience, stating, “We rise, we get knocked down and we stand up and we keep going, that’s life, that’s life’s motto.” He added that the spirit shown in the fight was influenced by his late friends and their families.

Path to Fury Fight

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed that contracts for a highly anticipated all-British fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury have been signed. However, specific details regarding the date and location for this encounter are yet to be announced.

Hearn acknowledged the difficulties Joshua faced leading up to the fight, noting the emotional toll of the past seven months. He suggested that boxing provided a focus for Joshua during a period of grief. Hearn also commented on the first round, admitting he questioned if Joshua had returned to the ring too soon.

Tyson Fury, who had his own warm-up fight in Thailand on Friday, where he stopped Mariusz Wach after seven rounds, did not attend Joshua’s fight in Jeddah. Fury reportedly returned home to the Isle of Man.

Joshua expressed his readiness for the potential clash with Fury, stating, “I respect everything he has done and everything that he has achieved, but as a fighting person and someone who has been calling for this fight for a long time, we’re here now.” He concluded by saying, “I can’t be stopped, I’m not going to be stopped, I’m not going to be denied.”

Emotional Return to the Ring

The fight was an emotional occasion for Joshua, who had been involved in the fatal car crash in December. The incident claimed the lives of two individuals who were significant figures in his training and personal life.

Joshua’s decision to dedicate his performance to Ghami and Ayodele underscored the personal significance of the bout. His promoter highlighted the strength required for Joshua to compete under such circumstances, especially after being knocked down twice in the opening round.

The victory in Jeddah was crucial for Joshua to remain on track for the potential showdown with Fury. The dramatic nature of the fight, with Joshua overcoming early adversity, added to the narrative of his return to competitive boxing.

Joshua’s record now stands at 30 wins and 4 losses following this latest contest in Jeddah.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Arsenal are reportedly exploring a deal to sign Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid. The Brazil international has one year remaining on his contract at the Bernabéu. This potential move is understood to be in its early stages as Mikel Arteta seeks a significant signing following the club’s recent Premier League title win.

Vinicius Jr, who is 26, scored 22 goals for Real Madrid last season and four for Brazil in the World Cup. His future at Real Madrid is uncertain after José Mourinho’s return as manager, and the club could consider cashing in on the player rather than risk losing him for free in a year.

However, new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho would reportedly oppose any approach from Arsenal for Vinicius Jr this summer. Mourinho has informed the club that he wishes all of his key players to remain. Mourinho signed a three-year deal at the Bernabéu. He had previously faced criticism for comments made after Vinicius Jr accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League match in February. Prestianni was subsequently banned for six matches after admitting to using homophobic language towards Vinicius Jr.

In addition to Vinicius Jr, Arsenal are also prepared to pursue Argentina striker Julian Alvarez, 26, from Atletico Madrid. Reports suggest Arsenal are ready to break the British transfer record to secure Alvarez. Other players on Arsenal’s radar include RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain.

Other Transfer Speculation

Inter Milan are reportedly interested in acquiring Argentina defender Cristian Romero, 28, from Tottenham. Meanwhile, Real Madrid had an £85.4m bid for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande rejected by RB Leipzig. The 19-year-old Diomande is also a target for other prominent clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester City.

Manchester United‘s apparent lack of urgency in making a concrete offer for France midfielder Manu Kone, 25, is reportedly causing frustration for AS Roma. Furthermore, Juventus are exploring a move for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, 31. The Italian club has held discussions with the Portugal midfielder’s representatives.

Chelsea have rejected a third bid from Como for England defender Trevoh Chalobah, 27. Napoli is also showing interest in Chelsea’s former France centre-back Benoit Badiashile, 25. Julian Brandt, the 30-year-old Germany midfielder, has received offers from both Leeds United and Ajax after leaving Borussia Dortmund as a free agent.

Activity in Other Clubs

Nottingham Forest has submitted an improved £17.5m bid for Feyenoord’s Dutch right-back Givairo Read, who is 20. West Ham has rejected an offer from Brentford for Senegal left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, 21, stating he is not for sale. Middlesbrough is interested in signing Manchester United’s Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek, 22, who spent last season on loan at Bristol City.

Arsenal has already strengthened their attacking options with the £34m signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge this week. Morgan Rogers was also identified as a target, but Arsenal was reportedly not prepared to pay more than £80m for the England international, who has since joined Chelsea in a £117m deal, marking a British record fee. Tzolis followed Piero Hincapié, who made his temporary deal permanent, and goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who was out of contract at Leeds, as Arsenal’s third addition. Bruno Guimarães could also move to the Emirates, with Arsenal keen on signing the Brazil international.

After Newcastle’s 1-1 pre-season draw at Gateshead on Saturday, manager Eddie Howe commented on Bruno Guimarães’s future, stating the club does not want to lose its best players.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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